Kapitel 23: The Traitor Revealed

As she finally drifted off to sleep, her dreams were a jumble of dark corridors and scurrying shadows. But just before she woke, she saw that light again, a beacon in the darkness. And she knew, that no matter what spies or traitors lurked in the shadows, they would find a way to win. They had to. The fate of their world depended on it.

Madison woke with a start, her heart pounding like a war drum. She rolled over, expecting to find Wald, but his side of the bed was empty. Sitting up, she saw him crouched by the window, his face a mask of worry.

"They're out there," he growled, not taking his eyes off the courtyard below. "I can smell them."

Madison joined him, her nose catching the scent of something foul. "Kobolds," she spat. "More than one."

"Five, maybe six," Wald said. "They've been circling the castle all night. Trying to find a way in."

"But how?" Madison asked. "The castle walls are enchanted. No one gets in without permission."